Mastering the Mental Game: Wrestling’s Missing Link with Nicholas Coco

In this must-listen episode, host Shawn Geris welcomes Nicholas Coco, a top strength and conditioning coach and mental performance specialist from New York, to break down one of the most overlooked aspects of wrestling: the mental game.

For years, wrestlers were taught to simply “tough it out” with little focus on mindset. But as the sport evolves, so does our understanding of mental toughness, confidence, and resilience—and Nicholas has dedicated his career to helping athletes unlock their full potential, both physically and mentally.

Inside This Episode:
✅ How Nicholas got into the mental side of sports and why it’s a game-changer
✅ The key differences between legendary coaches like Dan Gable, the Brands brothers, and Cael Sanderson—and how their approaches impact athletes
✅ Why so many talented wrestlers struggle with mental roadblocks and how to overcome them
✅ The biggest mistakes coaches and parents make when dealing with young wrestlers
✅ How to help athletes bounce back from a tough loss and stay focused for the next match
✅ The importance of self-reflection, goal-setting, and focusing on controllables like effort and attitude
✅ Practical mental training exercises that wrestlers and coaches can start using today

Whether you're a wrestler, coach, or parent, this episode is packed with real strategies that can help take your performance to the next level. If you've ever wondered why some wrestlers rise to the occasion while others crumble under pressure, this is the conversation you need to hear!

Download and listen now—available on all major podcast platforms!

#WrestlingWithGoals #MindsetMatters #Wrestling #MentalToughness #AthleteMindset #SportsPsychology

Download and listen now—available on all major podcast platforms!

#WrestlingWithGoals #MindsetMatters #Wrestling #MentalToughness #AthleteMindset #SportsPsychology

Previous Episode

Injury Prevention, Recovery, and Performance: A Strength Coach’s Playbook

In Part 2 of our conversation with Ryan Horton, Director of Football Strength & Conditioning at the University at Buffalo, we dive deep into the evolution of athletic training, injury prevention, and cutting-edge sports science.

Ryan shares how technology like Catapult GPS tracking and velocity-based training have transformed the way athletes prepare for peak performance. We also discuss the mental and physical challenges of strength training, the importance of data-driven decision-making, and how proper periodization and nutrition play a crucial role in keeping athletes healthy and explosive on the field.

If you're an athlete, coach, or just someone passionate about strength and conditioning, this episode is packed with insights you don't want to miss!

Download & listen now! Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

#StrengthTraining #FootballPerformance #SportsScience #AthleteRecovery #ConceiveBelieveAchieve

Next Episode

The Mental & Physical Edge: Strength Training and Visualization for Wrestlers

In the second installment of our three-part series, host Coach G continues his deep dive with Nicholas Coco, a top strength and conditioning coach and mental performance expert from New York.

This episode explores critical elements that separate good wrestlers from elite competitors, including strength training, mental preparation, and visualization techniques used by world-class athletes. If you're serious about maximizing performance on the mat, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

What You'll Learn in Part 2:

Training for Different Weight Classes:

Why lightweights and heavyweights should train differently—and how a one-size-fits-all approach hurts performance
How wrestling coaches can optimize training sessions for different body types
The importance of customized technique selection (Hint: not every move works for every wrestler!)

The Power of Visualization & Mental Training:

Why visualization isn’t just about “seeing success”—it’s about feeling, hearing, and experiencing the moment before it happens
The simple exercises that help wrestlers develop confidence and eliminate self-doubt

Strength Training for Wrestling – What Most Athletes Get Wrong:

Why pulling strength is more important than pushing strength in wrestling
How the wrong weightlifting program can actually hurt a wrestler’s performance
The best exercises for grip, pulling power, and explosiveness on the mat
Why neck training is crucial for reducing injuries and concussions (and why most athletes ignore it)

In-Season vs. Off-Season Training Strategies:

Why stopping strength training during the season is one of the biggest mistakes wrestlers make
How to balance lifting, recovery, and competition to stay strong and injury-free
How strength training programs should change throughout the year to maximize peak performance

Why This Episode Matters:
In wrestling, mental and physical preparation go hand in hand. Too many athletes focus only on technique and endurance while ignoring mental resilience and proper strength training. This episode is designed to help wrestlers, coaches, and parents understand what it really takes to reach the next level.

📢 If you're a wrestler who wants to dominate, a coach looking for new training methods, or a parent trying to support your athlete the right way—this episode is for you!

🎧 Download and listen now on all major podcast platforms!

#WrestlingWithGoals #StrengthTrainingForWrestling #WrestlingMindset #MentalToughness #Visualization #WrestlingPerformance #AthleteDevelopment